Smart wetsuit, surfboard and backpack system

ABSTRACT

A smart clothing and backpack system enables a user to perform many actions. The smart clothing includes circuitry and/or is made of a conductive material enclosed in an insulation material. The smart clothing includes a set of sensors configured to detect body information. The smart clothing includes multiple electromagnets configured to adjust a size of the smart clothing. The electromagnets are configured to have an increased attraction to make the smart clothing tighter on the body of the user. The system includes a smart backpack to communicate with the smart clothing. The smart backpack includes a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) reader configured to detect RFID tags on or in items within the smart backpack. Many other features are able to be implemented with the smart clothing and backpack system. The smart clothing is able to include a wetsuit configured to communicate with a surfboard and/or a backpack.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/118,825, filed on Dec. 11, 2020, and titled“SMART APPAREL AND BACKPACK SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of smart clothing. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to the field of clothingwith computing capabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many smart clothing products are being developed, from sneakers capableof tracking steps to jackets capable of controlling temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A smart clothing and backpack system enables a user to perform manyactions. The smart clothing includes circuitry and/or is made of aconductive material enclosed in an insulation material. The smartclothing includes a set of sensors configured to detect bodyinformation. The smart clothing includes multiple electromagnetsconfigured to adjust a size of the smart clothing. The electromagnetsare configured to have an increased attraction to make the smartclothing tighter on the body of the user. The system includes a smartbackpack to communicate with the smart clothing. The smart backpackincludes a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) reader configured todetect RFID tags on or in items within the smart backpack. Many otherfeatures are able to be implemented with the smart clothing and backpacksystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of smart clothing according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of smart clothing according to someembodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of adjustable smart clothing according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a smart backpack according to someembodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of a system of smart clothing with a smartbackpack according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing deviceconfigured to be utilized with the smart clothing/backpack according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a network of devices according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing smart clothingand/or a smart backpack according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of a system of a smart clothing and smartobject according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Smart articles of clothing and other objects are described herein. By“smart,” the clothing and objects are more capable of performing anadditional action beyond merely clothing a user. An example of smartclothing/objects includes clothing/objects that are conductive and/orinclude circuitry to process information and take an action.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of smart clothing according to someembodiments. The smart clothing 100 is able to include: a material 102(e.g., fabric, conductive fibers), a power source 104 (e.g., batteries,energy acquisition component), circuitry/computing components 106, oneor more sensors 108, an alert/alarm 110, a heating/cooling component112, a display 114, a camera 116, a transceiver 120 and/or any othercomponents. For clarity, the circuitry/computing components 106 are notshown throughout the smart clothing 100; however, it is understood thatthe circuitry is able to be as extensive and as distributed throughoutthe smart clothing 100 as needed. As described herein, the smartclothing 100 is able to include any of the other aspects describedherein such as solar strips, perfume compartments, a display, and/orcomponents for adjusting the size/fit of the smart clothing 100. Thesmart clothing 100 is able to communicate with a mobile device 150(e.g., smart watch/phone) or any other device.

The smart clothing 100 (or smart objects) are able to include conductivematerials such as fibers containing or made of metal such as copper,silver, gold, a non-metal such as graphite or graphene or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the material 102 of the smart clothing 100is non-conductive or is an insulator. In some embodiments, the smartclothing 100 includes a mix of materials (e.g., standard clothingmaterial such as cotton, wool, polyester and a strip of a conductivematerial or spaced, connected threads of a conductive material).

The smart clothing 100 (or objects) are able to include a power source104 such as a battery, a kinetic energy acquisition component, afriction energy acquisition component, a solar power acquisitioncomponent and/or any other power/energy source or acquisition component.In another example, smart clothing or a smart backpack includes apocket/pouch for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries.Similarly, the smart clothing/objects are able to include circuitry toimplement the desired functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitryincludes flexible wires (e.g., embedded in the fabric of the smartclothing). In some embodiments, the smart clothing/object is composed ofa conductive material which acts as the circuitry. The circuitry is alsoable to include any other electrical components such as one or moreprocessors/memory to process acquired information (e.g., from thesensors). In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 includes a powersource capable of charging a power source in the smart backpack, or thesmart backpack includes a power source capable of charging a powersource in the smart clothing 100.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 (or objects) include sensors108 and/or nano-sensors such as accelerometers to detect specificmovements such as exercises, karate moves, and/or parkour moves. Smartclothing is able to be used to determine a user's stride which can laterbe used in person identification (instead of or in combo with facialrecognition). For example, sensors 108 are embedded in the sleeves ofeach arm of a shirt, in shorts, and sneakers. The sensors 108 are ableto be positioned in the clothing in any orientation (e.g., a straightline, in a distributed pattern (e.g., checkerboard), randomly). Thesensors 108 are able to function independently or together (even sensorson different articles of clothing). For example, the sensors 108 on theshirt, shorts and sneakers are able to be synchronized to providereal-time movement data (or other data). By using the sensors together,whole body movements are able to be better detected.

In some embodiments, the sensors 108 are able to be grouped orclassified to allow more control by a user. For example, if a user wantsto focus on arm movements and does not want information from herpants/shorts providing possible extraneous information, the user is ableto select the shirt grouping of sensors. The groups are able to be aslarge or as small as desired (e.g., based on number of sensors orlocation). For example, a group is limited to one arm, both arms, aboveor below the belt, one or both legs, and/or one or both feet. Individualor multiple groups are able to be selected. In an example, a group isable to be designated for power-save mode, where only one sensor persquare inch (or other area) is activated, while the other sensors are insleep mode or off mode. In some embodiments, the smart clothing/objectautomatically puts the sensors in sleep mode when the remaining powerlevel of the batteries or other power source drops below a threshold(e.g., 10%).

Varying types of sensors are able to be used together or the sensors areable to provide varying amounts of data. For example, the sensors areable to determine movement, and the same or other sensors are able todetect an amount a perspiration, temperature, pressure, tension, bodyinformation (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure), and/or any otherrelevant information.

In some embodiments, sensors 108 are included in the smart clothing 100to track movement and display on a screen the user's movement so theuser can see if he is doing movement properly (e.g., yoga, exercises,weight lifting).

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 (or object) is able to beincluded with a healthcare system. For example, the smart clothing 100is able to include sensors 108 which detect heart rate, blood pressure,sweat amounts, body temperature, external/ambient temperature, sunlightexposure, and/or other health-related data. The smart clothing/object isalso able to include devices to respond to the health-related data suchas a cooling system for when a user is overheated, a warming system whena user is hypothermic, and/or other devices.

The smart clothing/object is able to communicate with other devices suchas a phone/watch/server to send and/or receive health-related data.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 is able to detectgrowth/size changes in a user's body. For example, the smart clothing100 includes sensors 108 which are configured to measure how far apartthey are from each other which would indicate the size of the person'sarm, thigh, waist, chest, and so on. Furthering the example, the sensors108 measure a signal strength or time for a signal to be received, wherea lower signal strength or a longer time amount indicates a greaterdistance between the sensors. In another example, the smart clothing 100includes a way of measuring the amount of stretching of the material todetermine the size of the user's body parts. In some embodiments, theuser's footwear includes weight measuring components (e.g.,piezoelectric weight sensors) configured to measure the user's weight.For example, each sneaker includes one ore more piezoelectric weightsensors, and the weight detected in each shoe is combined/added togetherto determine the user's total weight. In some embodiments, the dailygrowth/size changes are detected/measured and tracked. For example, auser is able to display their daily size changes, so that they can seeif there is a trend in their weight (e.g., after exercising and eatingbetter for 7 days straight, a decreasing body size trend is detected).The display is able to be on the user's device (e.g., phone, watch, TV,computer, clothing). In some embodiments, the system is configured totake measurements at the same time or times each day and/or make thecomparisons at the same time each day. For example, a user is typicallyheavier at night than in the morning, so the system is configured tocompare the user's size at 7a each day (or another time or times).

In some embodiments, a flexible display 114 is included on the smartclothing 100 (e.g., the shirt's front or back). The display is able todisplay an image, text and/or video. For example, the display is part ofor is coupled to the circuitry and receives signals from a processor asto what to display. Padding is able to be included to protect the userfrom the display for comfort.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 includes one or morewearable cameras 116. The cameras 116 are able to be embedded in thesmart clothing 100 or attached to the smart clothing. The cameras 116are able to be removable. The content acquired by the cameras 116 isable to be displayed on the flexible display 114 or transmitted toanother device (e.g., smart phone, server).

In some embodiments, the smart clothing/object is configured to storekinetic energy. The kinetic energy is stored in a battery/power source104. The battery 104 is able to be embedded within and/or stored on thesmart clothing. The battery 104 is able to be separate from theclothing/object (e.g., a phone device battery). The smart clothing 100is able to include a flexible, piezoelectric fabric/material which isable to generate storable energy (e.g., stored in the battery 104) basedon the movement of the user. For example, as the user swings his arms orwalks, the fabric and/or battery 104 in the user's shirt and/or pants isable to store the energy.

As described in:<https://www.designnews.com/materials-assembly/flexible-piezoelectric-fabric-turns-kinetic-energy-electricity>piezoelectric fibers with a piezoelectric shell around an electricallyconducting core are able to be used. The piezoelectric fibers are usedin combination with other conducting fibers to form an electric circuitconnected in series. The fibers are able to generate/harvest energybased on the piezoelectric effect which generates electricity from thedeformation of the piezoelectric fibers such as when they are stretched.The material is able to be generated by weaving the piezoelectric fiberswith electrically-conducting fibers. The fibers are able to be any size(e.g., as thin as a strand of hair).

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 includes a plurality ofmagnets for generating electricity based on the movement. For example,the magnets are positioned such that when the user moves, the magnetsmove in relation to electric/conducting fibers, which generates anelectric field which is able to be harvested.

The smart clothing 100 is able to include a transceiver 120 tocommunicate with the backpack 400. The transceiver 120 is able to be anyimplementation such as an antenna, a receiver, a transmitter and/or anycombination thereof. Additionally, the transceiver 120 is able to beincorporated in another device such as a small computing device. Thetransceiver 120 is able to send/receive any wireless communication,digital or analog, such as radio frequency, infrared or Bluetooth®.

The smart clothing 100 described herein is able to includeshoes/sneakers/other footwear, socks, pants, underwear,shirts/sweatshirts, skirts/dresses, jackets, hats, face masks and/or anyother clothing/apparel. The face masks are able to include sensors toindicate wind/breath flow. The smart clothing 100 is able to communicatewith smart jewelry.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of smart clothing according to someembodiments. The smart clothing 100 (or objects) are able to receive anytype of input using an input receiver 200 such as touch-based inputand/or gesture-based input. The input is able to be received using anarray or a mesh of sensors (e.g., electromagnetic) which are included in(e.g., attached to, part of or embedded in) the material of the smartclothing/objects. The input is able to be received from an externaldevice such as a remote control, a smart phone, and/or another mobiledevice. The input is able to be received using other means such as audio(e.g., via a microphone), eye movements, and/or brainwaves using anappropriate input receiver.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 (or objects) are waterproof.The waterproofing is able to be implemented in any manner such as a waxlayer, a specified material (e.g., Gore-Tex), and/or utilizingwaterproof nano-particles. In some embodiments, nano-particles 202 areincorporated with the smart clothing/objects to detect water. Thenano-particles 202 are able to communicate with a device (e.g., smartphone) to indicate water detection which is able to trigger an action(e.g., an alert/alarm). The nano-particles 202 are able to be utilizedfor other functions. The nano-particles 202 are able to be elsewhere(e.g., in/on another object, in/on the user's body) and communicate withthe smart clothing 100.

In some embodiments, an alarm clock 204 is able to be included withinthe smart clothing/objects. The alarm clock 204 is able to besynchronized with a mobile device 150 (e.g., mobile phone or smartwatch). The alarm clock 204 is able to include a cooling or warmingelement embedded or on the smart clothing/object which is able be usedto wake up the user. For example, when an alarm is triggered, the smartclothing/object gradually increases (or decreases) in temperature usingthe heating/cooling element to slowly wake up the user. In someembodiments, the smart clothing/object includes a sound system triggeredby the alarm.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing/object includes one or morefilters 206 and/or an allergen detector. In some embodiments, the one ormore filters 206 are replaceable. The allergen detector is configured toreceive airborne allergens or other types of allergens, and then performa chemical and/or digital analysis of the allergens.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing is able to illuminate. The smartclothing is able to include lights 208 (e.g., LEDs) and/or other devicespowered by the smart clothing (e.g., the battery within the smartclothing) or another power source.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing is configured for storing aperfume, cologne or other substance capable of being released/emitted.For example, the smart clothing includes a small capsule 210, which iscapable of being triggered to open to release some or all of the storedsubstance. The capsule 210 is able to be refilled.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 (or object) includes solarpanel strips/pieces 212 configured for providing energy as the powersource or to the power source.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 is a wetsuit/rash guard, andthe smart object is a surfboard/kayak. A wetsuit/rashguard/surfboard/kayak is able to include smart materials/components. Thewetsuit is able to include additional heating elements. The surfboard isable to detect sharks or other animals/structures within the water. Insome embodiments, the wetsuit/rash guard includes pressure sensorsconfigured to detect water pressure. In some embodiments, thewetsuit/rash guard/surfboard/kayak includes shark protection/detection.

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of adjustable smart clothing according tosome embodiments. In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 is able toadjust how tight/loose the clothing is. A user is able to push a button300 or the clothing is able to automatically adjust. In someembodiments, electromagnets 302 are utilized to tighten or loosen thesmart clothing on the user, and by increasing or decreasing the magneticstrength, the smart clothing will tighten or loosen.

As shown in the Figure, a shirt is a first size (e.g., XL), and thenwith the push of a button 300 (or another trigger including an automatictrigger), the shirt shrinks to a second size (e.g., L). Upon the push ofthe button 300, the amount of electricity going to the electromagnets302 from the power source and the circuitry increases. Similarly, bypressing the button 300 again, the electromagnets are able to be turnedoff, and the shirt or other article of smart clothing is able to returnto the first size.

The electromagnets 302 are positioned on or within the smart clothing100 so that upon the electromagnets 302 being powered, they will beattracted to each other, and tighten the fabric/clothing. Similarly,when the electromagnets 302 are turned off, they will no longer beattracted to each other, and the fabric/clothing is able to loosen.

In some embodiments, the electromagnets 302 are charged/powered usingthe kinetic energy acquired by the smart clothing 100 as describedherein. For example, as the user swings his arms, electricity isgenerated and collected using the smart clothing 100 which is thenstored in a power source 104 (e.g., battery) and then used to power theelectromagnets 302 which adjust the size of the smart clothing 100.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 is able to convert from onetype of clothing to another (e.g., long sleeve shirt to short sleeve orpants to shorts). For example, the electromagnets 302 are able topositioned such that when the electromagnets 302 join together theytransform the smart clothing 100. For example, positioning severalelectromagnets 302 at several points in the sleeves of a long sleeveshirt, allows the long sleeve shirt to convert to a short sleeve shirtby pulling the sleeves up as the electromagnets 302 are attracted toeach other.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 includes internal threadingconfigured to be pulled to adjust the size of the clothing. For example,an internal thread goes to the sleeve from the collar of a shirt, wherea miniature winch (or many winches) are stored within the collar of theshirt which is able to be activated and powered using a power sourcestored within the smart clothing or an external power source. The thread(via the winch) is able to be released to loosen the shirt.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing includes fibers configured totighten (e.g., get closer together to shrink the clothing) or loosen toenlarge the clothing. The fibers are able to be magnetic/electromagneticor attracted in another way. As described herein, when theelectromagnets are triggered, they attract to each other to reduce theamount of space between them and tighten the clothing. In someembodiments, the fibers are able to adjust based on moisture (e.g., thefibers tighten when wet, and the fibers loosen when dry).

In some embodiments, the smart clothing includes sensors configured themeasure strain/stress of the smart clothing fabric based on movement.Additionally sensors are able to measure other bodily attributes such asbreathing (or restrictions) and/or sweating. The acquired sensorinformation is able to be stored in the circuitry (e.g.,processor/memory) and analyzed (or analyzed on another device). Based onthe sensed/detected information and analysis, the smart clothing (e.g.,polymer fabric and/or electromagnets and/or other implementation) isable to expand or contract in response to movement or other factors suchas body temperature. In some embodiments, the expansion or contractionoccurs over a delayed period of time (e.g., instead of instantaneouslyreaction, the contraction is a gradual contraction over 30 seconds oranother period of time).

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a smart backpack according to someembodiments. The smart backpack 400 is able to include a Radio FrequencyIDentification (RFID) chip reader 402 to confirm that all of a student'sbooks are in the backpack 400. For example, an RFID chip reader 402 isconfigured to detect RFID chips/tags 404 which are in/on the books.

The smart backpack 400 is able to detect movement via a sensor 406(e.g., an accelerometer) and then perform the book check, and provide analert/alarm via the backpack and/or another device (e.g., smart clothingand/or mobile device). The movement sensor 406 is able to be any sensor(e.g., accelerometer, GPS, proximity sensor). For example, the backpack400 is stationary while the user is in class, so a book check is notnecessary, but when the class ends, the user picks up the backpack whichis detected by the movement sensor 406 (e.g., determines a movementamount above a threshold). Upon detecting movement, the movement sensor406 triggers the RFID chip reader 402 or other book detectionimplementation to check if all of the appropriate books are within thebackpack 400. If all of the books are there, then no alert is triggered.If a book is detected as missing, then the backpack 400 is illuminatedin a different color (e.g., changes from green to red) or a notificationis sent to the user's smart phone, smart watch or exercise band to alertthe user that a book is missing. In some embodiments, the specific book(e.g., title) is identified in the alert, or the alert signal providessome other indication of which book is missing (e.g., based on a colorcode—green equals science book). In some embodiments, another objectdetection implementation is used instead of RFID such as depth mappingor image/object mapping within the backpack. Although a backpack isdescribed herein, any storage device is able to utilize theimplementation described herein such as luggage or a briefcase.

In some embodiments, the backpack 400 includes a sensor 408 fordetecting weight (e.g., a piezoelectric sensor is included in one orboth of the shoulder straps to detect a weight of the backpack 400, or aweight detection sensor 408 is included on the bottom of the backpack400. The weight detection sensor 408 is able to be used instead of or inaddition to RFID to determine if a book is missing. For example, if eachbook or object has a specific weight, the weight detection sensor 408 isable to be used to indicate which book is missing.

The smart backpack 400 is not limited to detecting missing books, anyitem that is able to be detected as missing such as notebooks,pens/pencils, electronics (e.g., tablet/laptop), clothing, and so on.The items are able to be detected using any of the methods describedherein.

In an exemplary implementation, the RFID chip reader 402 detects RFIDtags 404 for an initialization to generate a database of the items thatare stored within the smart backpack 400. For example, the user scans ascience book, two math books, a reading book, a language arts book, anda tablet, which all have an RFID chip (or similar component). The smartbackpack 400 stores a list (or other data structure) of this informationin a memory (along with other processing components/circuitry) 410contained within the smart backpack. The list is then able to becompared to determine if the books are within the backpack 400 by usingthe RFID chip reader 402 within the backpack 400. Although an RFID chipreader and an RFID chip are shown, any device capable of detectingobjects is able to be implemented. In some embodiments, microchips areplaced in/on a book. The RFID chips/tags or microchips are able to besticky and/or removable. The backpack 400 is able to include atransceiver 420 to communicate with the smart clothing 100. Thetransceiver 420 is able to be any implementation such as an antenna, areceiver, a transmitter and/or any combination thereof. Additionally,the transceiver 420 is able to be incorporated in another device such asa small computing device. The transceiver 420 is able to send/receiveany wireless communication, digital or analog, such as radio frequency,infrared or Bluetooth®.

In another exemplary implementation, the books (or other objects) areinserted into the backpack individually to determine the weight of eachone, which is then used to detect if a book or other object is missingwhen the backpack is moving.

In some embodiments, security measures are implemented to prevent thebackpack from being stolen. For example, when the movement sensordetects movement, the backpack attempts to communicate with a mobiledevice (e.g., wearable device) of the user using near-fieldcommunication, Bluetooth® or another communication, and if thecommunication attempt is unsuccessful, then an alarm is triggered. Thealarm is able to be on the backpack and/or at the mobile device. In someembodiments, the backpack includes a trackable implementation whichenables the mobile device to locate the backpack (e.g., using GPS).

A backpack or other storage device is able to include an alert system.For example, the backpack changes color as an alert when a book ismissing from the backpack. In some embodiments, the backpack (or smartclothing) changes color based on mood. In some embodiments, the backpackincludes one or more temperature sensors to trigger the backpack tochange color based on the temperature/heat. In some embodiments, thebackpack includes extra padding in specific locations to protect anobject (e.g., pencil) and also protect the backpack from the object. Insome embodiments, the straps of the backpack are configured to tighten.The tightening is able to be implemented automatically (e.g., thebackpack detects slack or a loose strap and is configured to tightenuntil the slack is reduced to a certain point or minimized). In anotherexample, the tightening is able to be implemented based on the usertriggering the tightening (e.g., by pushing a button on the backpack ortapping a user's mobile device).

In some embodiments, the smart backpack includes sensors configured themeasure strain/stress of the smart backpack material (e.g., in thestraps) based on movement. Additionally sensors are able to measureother bodily attributes such as breathing (or restrictions) and/orsweating. Sensors are able to determine the location of the backpack inrelation to the user's smart clothing and/or the user's body, and if thesmart backpack is in the wrong position relative to the user, the smartbackpack straps are able to automatically adjust to properly positionthe backpack. For example, the back of a user's smart clothing includesa sensor (or device/component) which is configured to communicate with asensor (or device/component) on the smart backpack which is near theuser's back, and if the sensors or other devices are not aligned, thenthe straps automatically adjust to provide proper alignment or provide awarning/alert for the user to manually adjust the straps for properalignment. For example, a backpack should rest on a user's hips to takethe weight off of his/her back, so the lower portion of the user's shirtor the upper portion of the user's pants is able to include asensor/device configured to coordinate with a sensor/device in/on thelower portion of the backpack. For example, the smart clothing includesa magnet which triggers the backpack sensor when correctly positioned,but does not trigger the sensor when the backpack is incorrectlypositioned (e.g., too high on the user's back). The acquired sensorinformation is able to be stored in the circuitry (e.g.,processor/memory) and analyzed (or analyzed on another device). Based onthe sensed/detected information and analysis, the smart backpack strapsor other component (e.g., polymer fabric and/or electromagnets and/orother implementation) are able to expand or contract in response tomovement or other factors such as body temperature. In some embodiments,the expansion or contraction occurs over a delayed period of time (e.g.,instead of instantaneously reaction, the contraction is a gradualcontraction over 30 seconds or another period of time).

In some embodiments, the smart clothing includes and/or communicateswith a backpack, including a self-tightening backpack. Similar to how tothe smart clothing is self-tightening, the backpack is able to includeelectromagnetic components which when triggered attract to each otherand tighten the straps of the backpack. Additionally, the straps areable to be attached to a motorized component capable of pulling thestraps tighter by pulling one way, and pulling the straps looser bypulling another way.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing is configured to change colorbased on mood. Mood is able to be determined based on physiologicalsigns (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, sweat amount, and/or otherdetectable signs). For example, a wearable device (e.g., exercise band,smart watch) is able to detect and acquire physiological information.Furthering the example, a smart watch acquires a user's heart rate andsweat amount, and then the smart watch and/or another device (e.g.,processing component in the smart clothing) analyzes the heart rate andsweat amount to determine the user's mood. For example, if the user'sheart rate is above a threshold, and the sweat amount is above athreshold, then the user's mood is determined to be “excited.” Anynumber of thresholds are able to be implemented, and any number ofvariables are able to be analyzed. For example, if the user's heart rateis above a second threshold, the user's mood is determined to be“stressed.” The wearable device is able to send a trigger to the smartclothing (e.g., a signal where 1=“excited,” 2=“stressed,” 3=“happy” andso on). The smart clothing is then able to take an action such aschanging colors of lights/LEDs on the smart clothing or changing thedisplay on the smart clothing to reflect the user's current mood. Auser's mood is able to be determined based on other information as wellsuch as analyzing the user's communications (e.g., text/SMS messages,emails, phone calls, social media posts, web page posts), audioanalysis, and/or facial expressions/physical appearance. For example,communications are able to be analyzed to detect keywords such as happy,sad, angry, or specific phrases which connote an emotion such as, “I'mso stressed” or “There's so much pressure.” In another example, a userdevice is able to analyze audio from the user such as detectinglaughing, crying, a user's tone, the volume of the user's voice and/orany other audio signals that may indicate the user's mood. In anotherexample, a user device is able to be used to analyze a video and/or scanof the user's face and/or actions to determine the user's mood. Forexample, templates are able to be used to detect a smile versus a frownversus crying. The various implementations are able to be used togetheror separately to determine a user's mood.

In some embodiments, footwear (e.g., sneakers, shoes, socks) includecircuitry to count a user's steps and/or other exercise information. Thefootwear is able to communicate with other devices (e.g., mobile device,smart clothing).

In some embodiments, a time keeping device (e.g., watch) is embeddedwithin clothing (e.g., shorts or a shirt) configured with touchcapabilities to enable a user to tap the device to start/stop the deviceor is configured to automatically start/stop based on detected movement.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing is configured to glow in thedark using solar-powered capabilities. For example, the smart clothingincludes a solar panel and power storage or other power source which isable to power lights or other items that would allow the smart clothingto glow in the dark.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of a system of smart clothing with a smartbackpack according to some embodiments. The smart clothing-backpacksystem 500 includes the smart clothing 100 as described herein and thesmart backpack 400 as described herein.

The smart clothing 100 is able to automatically adjust thetightness/size of the clothing. The smart clothing 100 is able totransition from shorts to pants, pants to shorts, long sleeve to shortsleeve, or short sleeve to long sleeve. The smart clothing 100 is ableto change patterns. The smart clothing 100 is able to utilize a screento display content. The smart clothing 100 is able to implement solarcells/panels to provide power to components on the clothing (e.g., asolar-powered glow in the dark shirt). The smart clothing 100 is able tocommunicate with the smart backpack 400. Content is able to becommunicated between the smart clothing 100 and the smart backpack 400.The content is able to be communicated wirelessly or via a wiredimplementation. Electricity is also able to be communicated between thesmart clothing 100 and the smart backpack 400. For example, a powersource on/in the smart backpack 400 is able to provide energy to adisplay, an alarm, lights, and/or another component on the smartclothing 100. In another example, the smart backpack 400 is able tocommunicate an alert (e.g., a book is missing from the backpack) to thesmart clothing 100 for the smart clothing 100 to sound an alarm.

The smart backpack 400 is able to include any of the features describedherein such as an implementation to detect a missing object (e.g.,book), different lighting features, and/or self-tightening straps.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing 100 and/or the smart backpack400 are able to communicate with another device (e.g., smart phone,smart jewelry, personal computer).

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing device 600configured to be utilized with the smart clothing/backpack according tosome embodiments. The computing device 600 is able to be used toacquire, store, compute, process, communicate and/or display informationincluding, but not limited to, text, images, videos and audio. In someexamples, the computing device 600 is able to be used to monitor,process, and analyze the information. In general, a hardware structuresuitable for implementing the computing device 600 includes a networkinterface 602, a memory 604, a processor 606, I/O device(s) 608, a bus610 and a storage device 612. The choice of processor is not critical aslong as a suitable processor with sufficient speed is chosen. The memory604 is able to be any conventional computer memory known in the art. Thestorage device 612 is able to include a hard drive, CDROM, CDRW, DVD,DVDRW, flash memory card, solid state drive or any other storage device.The computing device 600 is able to include one or more networkinterfaces 602. An example of a network interface includes a networkcard connected to an Ethernet or other type of LAN. The I/O device(s)608 are able to include one or more of the following: keyboard, mouse,monitor, display, printer, modem, touchscreen, touchpad,speaker/microphone, voice input device, eye detection, infrareddetection, hologram detection, button interface, hand-waving,body-motion capture, touchless 3D input, joystick, remote control,brain-computer interface/direct neural interface/brain-machineinterface, camera, and other devices. In some embodiments, the hardwarestructure includes multiple processors and other hardware to performparallel processing. Smart clothing/backpack application(s) 630 used toperform the monitoring, processing, analyzing, taking actions and anyother steps are likely to be stored in the storage device 612 and memory604 and processed as applications are typically processed. More or fewercomponents shown in FIG. 6 are able to be included in the computingdevice 600. In some embodiments, smart clothing/backpack hardware 620 isincluded. Although the computing device 600 in FIG. 6 includesapplications 630 and hardware 620 for implementing smartclothing/backpack features, the smart clothing/backpack method is ableto be implemented on a computing device in hardware, firmware, softwareor any combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the smartclothing/backpack applications 630 are programmed in a memory andexecuted using a processor. In another example, in some embodiments, thesmart clothing/backpack hardware 620 is programmed hardware logicincluding gates specifically designed to implement the method.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing/backpack application(s) 630include several applications and/or modules. Modules include amonitoring module for monitoring information, a processing module forprocessing (e.g., converting) information, and an analysis module foranalyzing information. In some embodiments, modules include one or moresub-modules as well. In some embodiments, fewer or additional modulesare able to be included. In some embodiments, the applications and/orthe modules are located on different devices. For example, a deviceperforms monitoring, processing, and analyzing, but the taking an actionis performed on a different device, or in another example, themonitoring and processing occurs on a first device, the analysis occurson a second device, and the action is taken on a third device. Anyconfiguration of where the applications/modules are located is able tobe implemented such that the smart clothing/backpack is executed.

Examples of suitable computing devices include, but are not limited to apersonal computer, a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server,a mainframe computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant,a pager, a telephone, a fax machine, a cellular/mobile telephone, asmart appliance, a gaming console, a digital camera, a digitalcamcorder, a camera phone, a smart phone/device (e.g., a Droid® or aniPhone®), a portable music player (e.g., an iPod®), a tablet (e.g., aniPad®), a video player, an e-reader (e.g., Kindle™), a DVDwriter/player, an HD (e.g., Blu-ray®) or ultra high densitywriter/player, a television, a copy machine, a scanner, a car stereo, astereo, a satellite, a DVR (e.g., TiVo®), a smart watch/jewelry, smartclothing, smart objects (e.g., backpack), nano devices, micro devices,smart devices, a home entertainment system or any other suitablecomputing device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a network of devices according to some embodiments.The network of devices is able to include any number of devices and anyvarious devices including, but not limited to, smart clothing 100, asmart backpack 400 and a computing device (e.g., a PC, smart phone) 702coupled through a network 700. The smart clothing 100 is able tocommunicate with a smart backpack 400 and/or a computing device 702directly or via a network 700. The network 700 is able to be any networkor networks including, but not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, aLAN/WAN/MAN, WiFi, wireless, wired, Ethernet, cellular, 4G/5G/xG,satellite, a combination of networks, or any other implementation ofcommunicating. The devices are able to communicate with each otherthrough the network 700 or directly to each other. The network 700 isable to include one or more servers or other devices to implement cloudstorage/computing (e.g., one or more of the devices is able to be an enduser device, a server, a cloud device, a company and/or another entity).

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing smart clothingand/or a smart backpack according to some embodiments. In the step 800,smart clothing is utilized. Utilizing the smart clothing is able toinclude any standard steps of wearing the clothing, and implementing anyof the functions of the smart clothing as described herein such as:adjusting the size of the smart clothing, detecting pressures,implementing protection measures, re-configuring the smart clothing,presenting a display on the smart clothing, performing exercisemeasurements/analysis, presenting an alarm, implementing a power source(e.g., kinetic, solar-powered), and communicating with another device(e.g., smart backpack, computing device). In the step 802, a smartbackpack is utilized. Utilizing the smart backpack includes detectingobjects in the backpack (and when objects are missing from thebackpack), communicating with the smart clothing (e.g., communicating asignal to the smart clothing, or communicating power to the smartclothing), and/or communicating with a computing device. In someembodiments, the order of the steps is modified. In some embodiments,fewer or additional steps are implemented. In some embodiments, thesteps are implemented independently. For example, the smart clothing isutilized without the smart backpack, or vice versa. In some embodiments,another object is utilized (e.g., a surfboard).

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of a system of a smart clothing and smartobject according to some embodiments. As described herein the smartclothing 100 is a wetsuit or a rash guard, and the smart object 900 is asurfboard or kayak. The wetsuit/rash guard and the surfboard/kayak areable to include smart materials/components. The wetsuit is able toinclude additional heating elements. For example, embedded within thewetsuit are conductive coils configured to warm the user. The coils areable to be insulated to prevent shocking the user.

The surfboard/kayak is able to include motion sensors, cameras, and/orother sensors 902 configured to detect sharks or otheranimals/structures within the water. The cameras/sensors are able to bepositioned on the board to detect animals/objects coming from anydirection, 360 degrees. The motion sensor (including a heat sensor insome embodiments) is able to be implemented in any manner such as adevice configured at the bottom/underside of the surfboard/kayak to senda signal to detect movement in the water, or a device configured todetect heat signatures wherein if a size of a heat signature is above athreshold, an object is determined to be a threatening animal (e.g.,shark). For example, the surfboard includes software/app configured foranalyzing the size of an object including comparing the size of theobject with a threshold size. The size of the object is able to bedetermined using depth information (e.g., a depth map), and based on howfar the object is and the detected signal/image, the size of the objectis able to be calculated and/or estimated. Furthering the example,images/videos are able to be acquired/generated, and the frames of eachimage are able to be compared in sequence to determine a delta betweeneach frame along with the depth/distance of the object such that a rateof size change is able to be determined to establish the animal/objectsize. In some embodiments, sonar and/or other depth findingimplementations are utilized to determine the depth/distance of theanimal/object. For example, a small fish at 1 foot away from thesurfboard may be the size of a great white shark at 200 feet away, so byknowing the distance of the animal/object, a better determination of theanimal/object is able to be made. The distance of the object is able tobe used in determining whether to trigger an alert. For example, adistance threshold is used where if the animal/object is closer than thedistance threshold, then an alert is sent. If a shark is detected but is200 yards away, then an alert may not be triggered, but if the thresholdis 50 feet, and the shark is 49 feet away, then an alert is triggered.The lighting system is able to include different colors such as yellowlights for within a first threshold, orange within a second thresholdand red within a third threshold, where each threshold is a shorterdistance from the surfboard (e.g., 50 feet, 25 feet and 10 feet). Insome embodiments, the speed of the animal/object is factored in (e.g.,if the animal is moving faster than a speed threshold, then an alert istriggered). For example, if the animal detect is moving at 20 mph, wherethe speed threshold is 15 mph, then an alert is triggered, but slowerfish will not trigger an alert. Object templates are also able to beused to assist in classifying an animal/object. For example, the shapeof a shark is very different from the shape of an octopus. The alertsare also able to be triggered based on proximity to a coral reef. Forexample, many surfers are injured by hitting coral reefs under thewater, so an alert notifying the user that a coral reef is within aspecified distance may help warn the user that they are in potentialdanger.

The surfboard/kayak is able to include countermeasures 904 to protectagainst an animal attack. The countermeasures 904 are able to include aflashing light, a speaker system to produce audible sounds whichdistract, repel or confuse the animal, a net, a decoy and/or any othercountermeasure. For example, speakers are embedded in the surfboard, andwhen a motion sensor detects a shark within a specified range (e.g.,within 5 feet), the speakers emit a sound that is audible to sharks anddistracts, confuses or repels them. In another example, the surfboardincludes a lighting system configured to flash upon the motion sensordetecting a shark, where the lighting system confuses/repels the shark.The lighting system is also able to include lights on top of the boardto alert the user that a shark is within a specified range, and/orlights on the bottom of the board to distract, confuse or repel theshark. In another example, the surfboard includes a storage compartmentconfigured for storing a net and/or a decoy which are able to betriggered to be ejected (e.g., chemical reaction-based propulsion uponmixing with water, or hydraulically) or dropped from the surfboard. Thedecoy is able to be any object that may distract an attacking shark suchas a rubber-based seal or a more environmentally-friendly decoy such asa wooden seal. In some embodiments, the decoy is self-inflating similarto an airbag to enable a smaller storage footprint, but a large enoughdecoy to prevent a shark attack on the person. In another example, ashark repellant chemical is able to be emitted upon detection of ashark. In some embodiments, the wetsuit/rash guard includes pressuresensors configured to detect water pressure.

The wetsuit/rash guard and surfboard/kayak combination is able toinclude a smart backpack 400 as well. The smart backpack is able to bethe same as or similar to the smart backpack described herein with somemodifications such as being waterproof, water resistant or at leastacceptable to get wet. The smart backpack is able to be used to provideany of the features described herein such as detecting objects withinthe backpack. The user is able to use the backpack to ensure that hedoes not forget items such as booties, flippers, sunscreen and any otheritems. The backpack is also able to store a power source and/orprocessing components (e.g., a power source to provide power to thesurfboard/kayak and/or the wetsuit. The backpack is able to communicatewith the wetsuit/rash guard and/or the surfboard/kayak. Thesurfboard/kayak (or other water craft) is able to communicate with thewetsuit/rashguard and/or smart backpack using a transceiver 906 (e.g.,using WiFi, RF, infrared, Bluetooth or others). The surfboard/kayak isable to communicate any signal or message such as an alert trigger. Thesurfboard/kayak is able to include any of the components describedherein for other devices.

In some embodiments, the smart surfboard/kayak or other water craftincludes a hydroelectric power generator 908. For example, a smallpropeller under the surfboard is able to be used to generate power basedon the motion of the surfboard through the water. Any hydroelectricpower generation system is able to be implemented. The bulk of the powergeneration system is able to be stored within the surfboard or kayak.

In some embodiments, smart clothing, a smart wetsuit, a smart backpack,a smart surfboard, a smart device and/or any combination thereof areable to be used together. For example, a user wears a self-adjustingsmart shirt with a smart backpack and a smart surfboard. The shirt,backpack and surfboard are able to communicate and perform any of theother features described herein. In another example, the user wears asmart shirt and smart backpack, and switches to a smart wetsuit with asmart surfboard, where all of the smart items are able to communicatewith each other.

An exemplary implementation is described herein. The smart clothingincludes conductive materials such as fibers containing or made of metalsuch as copper, silver, gold, a non-metal such as graphite or grapheneor a combination thereof. The conductive materials are able to beenclosed in insulating materials such as wool, cotton and/or otherfabrics/materials. The smart clothing includes a power source such as abattery, a kinetic energy acquisition component, a friction energyacquisition component, a solar power acquisition component and/or anyother power/energy source or acquisition component. The smart clothingincludes circuitry to implement any desired functionality. In someembodiments, the circuitry includes flexible wires (e.g., embedded inthe fabric of the smart clothing). In some embodiments, the smartclothing/object is composed of a conductive material which acts as thecircuitry. The circuitry is also able to include any other electricalcomponents such as one or more processors to process/analyze acquiredinformation (e.g., from the sensors). For example, a small battery and amicroprocessor are embedded in the collar of a shirt or in the sole of ashoe/sneaker.

The smart clothing includes sensors and/or nano-sensors such asaccelerometers to detect specific movements such as exercises, karatemoves, and parkour moves. For example, sensors are embedded in thesleeves of each arm of a shirt, the chest/stomach/back area of a shirt,in shorts, and sneakers. The sensors are able to be positioned in theclothing in any orientation (e.g., a straight line, in a distributedpattern (e.g., checkerboard), randomly). The sensors on the shirt,shorts, sneakers and/or other clothing are able to be synchronized toprovide real-time movement data (or other data). For example, thesensors are able to determine movement, and the same or other sensorsare able to detect an amount a perspiration, temperature, pressure,tension, body information (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure), and/or anyother relevant information. For example, a sweat sensor is able to beincluded in a shirt which is configured to detect water. In anotherexample, a smart watch is able to monitor a heart rate. The smartclothing/object is also able to include devices to respond to thehealth-related data such as a cooling system for when a user isoverheated, a warming system when a user is cold/hypothermic, and/orother devices. The smart clothing/object is able to communicate withother devices such as a phone/watch/server/backpack to send and/orreceive health-related data.

The smart clothing is able to detect growth/size changes in a user'sbody. For example, the smart clothing includes sensors which areconfigured to measure how far apart they are from each other which wouldindicate the size of the person's arm, thigh, waist, chest, and so on.For example, sensors within the smart clothing (such as in the sleeves)are able to send signals to each other, and based on the amount of timefor the signal to be received, it is able to be determined how far apartthe sensors are, and then based on the distance, if the distance hasincreased, it is based on the user's body growing and causing theclothing to pull which in turn pulls the sensors apart. In anotherexample, the smart clothing includes a way of measuring the amount ofstretching of the material to determine the size of the user's bodyparts. For example, a tension sensor is included within the smartclothing, and when the tension is above a threshold, then the shirt isdetermined to be too tight, so the smart clothing is able to be expandedin size. The user's footwear includes weight measuring components (e.g.,piezoelectric weight sensors) configured to measure the user's weight.For example, each sneaker includes one or more piezoelectric weightsensors, and the weight detected in each shoe is added together todetermine the user's total weight. Based on the user's weight or a deltaof weight (e.g., tracking the user's weight over a period of time), thesmart clothing is able to increase or decrease in size.

The smart clothing/object is configured to store kinetic energy. Thekinetic energy is stored in a battery/power source. The battery is ableto be embedded within and/or stored on the smart clothing. The batteryis able to be separate from the clothing/object (e.g., a phone devicebattery or stored in a smart backpack). The smart clothing is able toinclude a flexible, piezoelectric fabric/material which is able togenerate, storable energy (e.g., stored in the battery) based on themovement of the user. For example, as the user swings his arms or walks,the fabric and/or battery in the user's shirt and/or pants is able tostore the energy. The piezoelectric fibers are used in combination withother conducting fibers to form an electric circuit connected in series.The fibers are able to generate/harvest energy based on thepiezoelectric effect which generates electricity from the deformation ofthe piezoelectric fibers such as when they are stretched. The materialis able to be generated by weaving the piezoelectric fibers withelectrically-conducting fibers. The fibers are able to be any size(e.g., as thin as a strand of hair). Similarly, the energy generated bythe force/impact of walking/running is able to be stored.

The smart clothing includes a plurality of magnets for generatingelectricity based on the movement. For example, the magnets arepositioned such that when the user moves, the magnets move in relationto electric/conducting fibers which generates storable energy.

The smart clothing is able to adjust how tight/loose the clothing is. Auser is able to push a button, or the clothing is able to automaticallyadjust. In some embodiments, the smart clothing starts in a looseorientation, and automatically shrinks to a tight/fitted orientation.For example, the smart clothing decreases in size until sensors withinthe smart clothing detect a specified amount of stretch/pull (e.g.,above a threshold) to trigger a circuit breaker to stop the shrinkage ofthe smart clothing. In some embodiments, electromagnets are utilized totighten or loosen the smart clothing on the user, and by increasing ordecreasing the magnetic strength, the smart clothing will tighten orloosen. A shirt is a first size (e.g., XL), and then with the push of abutton, the shirt shrinks to a second size (e.g., L). Upon the push ofthe button, the amount of electricity going to the electromagnets fromthe power source and the circuitry increases. In some embodiments, theelectromagnetism increases to the point where the electromagnets attractto each other enough to actually join together which shrinks the shirtsize. By pressing the button again, the electromagnets are able to beturned off, and the shirt or other article of smart clothing is able toreturn to the first size.

The electromagnets are charged/powered using the kinetic energy acquiredby the smart clothing as described herein. For example, as the userswings his arms, electricity is generated and collected using the smartclothing which is then stored in a power source (e.g., battery) and thenused to power the electromagnets which adjust the size of the smartclothing.

The smart clothing is able to convert from one type of clothing toanother (e.g., long sleeve shirt to short sleeve or pants to shorts).For example, the electromagnets are able to positioned such that whenthe electromagnets join together they transform the smart clothing. Forexample, positioning several electromagnets at several points in thesleeves of a long sleeve shirt, allows the long sleeve shirt to convertto a short sleeve shirt by pulling the sleeves up as the electromagnetsare attracted to each other.

The smart clothing receives any type of input using an input receiversuch as touch-based input and/or gesture-based input. The input is ableto be received using an array or a mesh of sensors (e.g.,electromagnetic) which are included in (e.g., attached to, part of orembedded in) the material of the smart clothing/objects. The input isable to be received from an external device such as a remote control, asmart phone, and/or another mobile device. The input is able to bereceived using other means such as audio (e.g., via a microphone), eyemovements, and/or brainwaves using an appropriate input receiver.

The smart clothing is able to be waterproof. The smart clothing is ableto be configured to change color based on mood.

An alarm/alert (e.g., alarm clock, warning system) is able to beincluded within the smart clothing/objects. The alarm clock is able tobe synchronized with a mobile device (e.g., mobile phone or smartwatch). The alarm clock is able to include a cooling or warming elementembedded in or on the smart clothing/object which is able be used towake up the user. For example, when an alarm is triggered, the smartclothing/object gradually increases (or decreases) in temperature usingthe heating/cooling element to slowly wake up the user (e.g., anincrease of 1 degree/second or 1 degree/3 seconds until a limit isreached). In some embodiments, the smart clothing/object includes asound system triggered by the alarm. The alarm/alert is able to betriggered in another manner as well such as by receiving a signal fromanother device (e.g., backpack).

The smart clothing is able to illuminate. The smart clothing is able toinclude lights (e.g., LEDs) and/or other devices powered by the smartclothing (e.g., the battery within the smart clothing) or another powersource. The smart clothing is able to include solar panel strips/pieces.

In some embodiments, the smart clothing is a wetsuit/rash guard. Awetsuit/rash guard is able to include smart materials/components. Thewetsuit is able to include additional heating elements. In someembodiments, the wetsuit/rash guard includes pressure sensors configuredto detect water pressure. In some embodiments, the wetsuit/rash guardincludes shark protection/detection.

A flexible display is included on the smart clothing (e.g., the shirt'sfront or back). The display is able to display an image and/or video.The content on the display is able to be modified based on a user's mood(e.g., based on physiological analysis as described herein). The displayis able to be used to display an alert/alarm (e.g., book missing). Thedisplay is also able to be used to display medical, healthcare and/orphysical information of the user.

The smart clothing is able to include one or more wearable cameras. Thecameras are able to be embedded in the smart clothing or attached to thesmart clothing. The cameras are able to be removable. The contentacquired by the cameras is able to be displayed on the flexible displayor transmitted to another device (e.g., smart phone, server).

The smart clothing described herein is able to includeshoes/sneakers/other footwear, socks, pants, underwear,shirts/sweatshirts, dresses, jackets, hats, face masks and/or any otherclothing/apparel. The face masks are able to include sensors to indicatewind/breath flow.

The smart clothing is configured to communicate with a smart backpackand/or another device. The smart backpack is able to include aself-tightening backpack. Similar to how to the smart clothing isself-tightening, the backpack is able to include electromagneticcomponents which when triggered attract to each other and tighten thestraps of the backpack. Additionally, the straps are able to be attachedto a motorized component capable of pulling the straps tighter bypulling one way, and pulling the straps looser by pulling another way.

The smart backpack is able to include a Radio Frequency IDentification(RFID) chip reader to confirm that all of student's books are in thebackpack. For example, an RFID chip reader is configured to detect RFIDchips/tags which are in/on the books and/or other items.

The smart backpack is able to detect movement via a sensor (e.g., anaccelerometer) and then perform the book check, and provide analert/alarm via the backpack and/or other mobile device. The movementsensor is able to be any sensor (e.g., accelerometer, GPS, proximitysensor). For example, the backpack is stationary while the user is inclass, so a book check is not necessary, but when the class ends, theuser picks up the backpack which is detected by the movement sensor(e.g., determines a movement amount above a threshold). Upon detectingmovement, the movement sensor triggers the RFID chip reader or otherbook detection implementation to check if all of the appropriate booksare within the backpack. If all of the books are there, then no alert istriggered. If a book is detected as missing, then the backpack isilluminated in a different color (e.g., changes from green to red) or anotification is sent to the user's smart phone, smart watch or exerciseband to alert the user that a book is missing. In some embodiments, thespecific book (e.g., title) is identified in the alert.

In some embodiments, the backpack includes a sensor for detecting weight(e.g., a piezoelectric sensor is included in one or both of the shoulderstraps to detect a weight of the backpack, or a weight detection sensoris included on the bottom of the backpack. The weight detection sensoris able to be used instead of or in addition to the movement sensor orRFID reader to determine if a book is missing.

The smart backpack is not limited to detecting missing books, anyarticle/item that is able to be detected as missing such as notebooks,pens/pencils, electronics (e.g., tablet/laptop), clothing, exerciseequipment, work materials, personal materials, and so on. Thearticles/items are able to be detected using any of the methodsdescribed herein. In another exemplary implementation, the books (orother objects) are inserted into the backpack individually to determinethe weight of each one, which is then used to detect if a book or otherobject is missing when the backpack is moved/moving.

Security measures are implemented to prevent the backpack from beingstolen. For example, when the movement sensor detects movement, thebackpack attempts to communicate with a mobile device (e.g., wearabledevice) of the user using near-field communication, Bluetooth® oranother communication, and if the communication attempt is unsuccessful,then an alarm is triggered. The alarm is able to be on the backpack, thesmart clothing and/or at the mobile device. In another example, if amobile device and/or backpack detect that they are a distance apartgreater than a threshold, then an alarm is triggered. In someembodiments, the backpack includes a trackable implementation whichenables the mobile device to locate the backpack (e.g., using GPS).

A backpack or other storage device is able to include an alert system.For example, the backpack changes color and/or sounds an audible alarmas an alert when a book is missing from the backpack. In someembodiments, the backpack (or smart clothing) changes color based onmood. In some embodiments, the backpack includes one or more temperaturesensors to trigger the backpack to change color based on thetemperature/heat. In some embodiments, the backpack includes extrapadding in specific locations to protect an object (e.g., pencil) andalso protect the backpack from the object. In some embodiments, thestraps of the backpack are configured to tighten. The tightening is ableto be implemented automatically (e.g., the backpack detects slack or aloose strap and is configured to tighten until the slack is reduced to acertain point or minimized). In another example, the tightening is ableto be implemented based on the user triggering the tightening (e.g., bypushing a button on the backpack or tapping a user's mobile device).

To utilize the smart clothing/backpack system, a user wears the smartclothing (e.g., any clothing item such as a shirt, pants, jacket,sneakers, socks, hat and so on) and a smart backpack (or other storagedevice). The smart clothing and the smart backpack each have componentsto enable “smart” functionality such as power sources, conductivematerials, sensors, RFID readers, and so on as described herein. Thesmart clothing and the smart backpack are able to communicate with eachother to perform functions such as the smart backpack sending a signalto the smart clothing to provide an alert.

In operation, the smart clothing and backpack provide many advantagesover standard clothing and backpacks. For example, the smart clothing isable to adjust in size, display information, provide warmth or cooling,and many other features. Additionally, the smart backpack is able todetect missing items and communicate information to the smart clothingor another device.

Although some implementations and/or embodiments have been describedrelated to specific implementations and/or embodiments, and someaspects/elements/steps of some implementations and/or embodiments havebeen described related to specific implementations and/or embodiments,any of the aspects/elements/steps, implementations and/or embodimentsare applicable to other aspects/elements/steps, implementations and/orembodiments described herein.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding ofprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will bereadily apparent to one skilled in the art that other variousmodifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustrationwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a smart wetsuit comprising:circuitry comprising a conductive material enclosed in an insulationmaterial, wherein the circuitry comprises a processor and a memory; aplurality of sensors configured to detect body information of a user; afirst transceiver; a first power source configured to provide power tothe plurality of sensors and the first transceiver through thecircuitry; a smart backpack configured to communicate with the smartwetsuit comprising: a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) readerconfigured to detect RFID tags on or in items within the smart backpack;a second transceiver configured to communicate with the firsttransceiver; and a second power source configured to provide power tothe RFID reader and the second transceiver, wherein the smart backpackcomprises adjustable straps and a first set of one or more positionalsensors, and the smart wetsuit comprises a second set of one or morepositional sensors, wherein when the first set of one or more positionalsensors are not aligned with the second set of one or more positionalsensors, an alert is triggered on the smart backpack and/or the smartwetsuit; and a surfboard comprising: a motion sensor configured todetect an animal within water proximate to the surfboard; one or morelights on the surfboard configured to alert the user of the animal; anda third power source configured to provide power to the motion sensorand the one or more lights.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the smartwetsuit further includes a heating element configured to warm the user.3. The system of claim 1 wherein the motion sensor is configured todetect a heat signature and determine if the heat signature is largerthan a threshold size.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the surfboardfurther includes one or more countermeasures to protect the user fromthe animal.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the one or morecountermeasures include a flashing light and/or a speaker system toproduce audible sounds.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein the one or morecountermeasures include a decoy, wherein the decoy comprises aself-inflating rubber device configured to appear as an animal.
 7. Thesystem of claim 4 wherein the one or more countermeasures include achemical repellant.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the smart wetsuitcomprises one or more pressure sensors to detect water pressure.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the surfboard further comprises a thirdtransceiver configured to communicate with the first transceiver and/orthe second transceiver.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the smartbackpack further comprises at least one motion sensor configured fordetecting motion of the backpack, wherein the second transceivercommunicates a signal to the first transceiver for the smart wetsuit toprovide an alert to the user.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein thesmart wetsuit further comprises a flexible piezoelectric materialconfigured to generate storable energy when the user moves.
 12. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the smart wetsuit further comprises analerting device configured to alert the user.
 13. The system of claim 1wherein the smart wetsuit further comprises light emitting diodesconfigured to be illuminated.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the RFIDtags are removable.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein the smart backpackfurther comprises automatically adjustable straps, wherein theautomatically adjustable straps are configured to tighten usingelectromagnets.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein the first powersource, the second power source, and/or the third power source comprisea solar panel and/or a hydroelectric generator for acquiring energy. 17.The system of claim 1 wherein the second power source uses inductivecharging to charge the first power source.
 18. A method comprising:wearing a smart wetsuit, the smart wetsuit comprising: circuitrycomprising a conductive material enclosed in an insulation material,wherein the circuitry comprises a processor and a memory; a plurality ofsensors configured to detect body information of a user; a firsttransceiver; a first power source configured to provide power to theplurality of sensors and the first transceiver through the circuitry;wearing a smart backpack configured to communicate with the smartwetsuit, the smart backpack comprising: a Radio Frequency IDentification(RFID) reader configured to detect RFID tags on or in items within thesmart backpack; a second transceiver configured to communicate with thefirst transceiver; and a second power source configured to provide powerto the RFID reader and the second transceiver, wherein the smartbackpack comprises adjustable straps and a first set of one or morepositional sensors, and the smart wetsuit comprises a second set of oneor more positional sensors, wherein when the first set of one or morepositional sensors are not aligned with the second set of one or morepositional sensors, an alert is triggered on the smart backpack and/orthe smart wetsuit; and using a surfboard comprising: a motion sensorconfigured to detect an animal within water proximate to the surfboard;one or more lights on the surfboard configured to alert the user of theanimal; and a third power source configured to provide power to themotion sensor and the one or more lights.